When Dale Earnhardt Jr. missed Sprint Cup races in 2012, his absence was felt strongly by his Hendrick Motorsports team.
For crew chief Steve Letarte, not having Earnhardt at the track meant so much more than just not having him in the car those weekends.
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So as Earnhardt prepares to miss at least the next two races this season — he didn't drive at New Hampshire last weekend as well — with concussion-like symptoms, Letarte understands what Junior and his team face.